DUT SRC demand historical debt be scrapped and they be allowed to register for the 2021 academic year

NYAKALLO TEFU|

Online and remote learning at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will commence on Monday 12 April 2021 for new students. 

The university also announced that it has extended the date for online registration for new and returning students to 16 April 2021. 

Remote and online learning at DUT continues after management shut down all its campuses following violent clashes between students and police. 

Students at DUT and surrounding campuses are fighting against financial exclusion and have said they will return to the streets again this week.

University students across the country have been protesting, calling for an end to financial exclusion. Another demand is that historical debt at higher learning institutions be scrapped. 

A bystander was killed during clashes between the police and Wits University students last month in Braamfontein

Students at DUT and surrounding campuses said they have been angered by the lack of response to their grievances from management since February 2021. 

Last week, prospective students flocked to the institution hoping to register for the current academic year. 

DUT said the walk-ins were a result of fake social media posts inviting walk-ins to register. 

However, student leaders said the walk-ins were not a problem but rather the university’s inability to implement Covid-19 regulations for in-person registrations.

DUT SRC president Zabelo Ntuli said management needs to allow students to register on campus and not only depend on online registrations because that has slowed down the process.

This, and the university’s refusal to allow students owing money to register for the current academic year, is was sparked the protests.

A statement released by DUT management read: “Five of our campuses will be closed until further notice to allow the university to assess conditions for re-opening and to allow students to return in a phased and restricted manner.”

DUT management added that all first-time applicants who may be experiencing challenges related to online registration should report to Student Admissions.

“The institution will not be allowing walk-in applications,” added management.  

Reports also show that workers at the Mangosuthu University of Technology are also on strike. They are protesting over salary increase demands. Workers said they will sustain their industrial action if their issues are not resolved together with calls by students.

In response to the protests in the province and especially the issue of historical debt, the MEC for education in Kwazulu-Natal, Kwazi Mshengu, called on provincial government employees owing student loans to pay up their debt in order for students to get learning opportunities. 

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